Good afternoon and welcome to the Township Cranberry Municipal Alliance meeting March 10th, 2026. I'd like to call this meeting order. Could everyone please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Statement of adequate notice. >> Pursuant to the Sunshine Law, adequate notice in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act was provided on
January 5th, 2026 of this meeting's date, time, place, and the agenda was mailed to the news media, posted on the township bulletin board, mailed to those requesting personal notice, and filed with the municipal clerk. And now we'll move on to roll call. Miss Benerroof.
I'm here. Miss Charwin here. Chief's chair >> here. >> Dizzler. Miss Kaplan is excused. Miss Lindenfeld is excused. Miss Schulman is also excused. Miss Weinstein >> here. Miss E >> here. Mr. Copouloolis
>> here. >> And Mr. Cuz >> here. >> Thank you. >> Okay. The minutes from February 10th. Does anybody have any changes or additions to the minutes? Would anybody like to make a motion to
approve the minutes? >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from February 10th. >> Okay. Anybody want to second the motion? >> All in favor? >> I Okay, thank you. Okay, we have the
student representative report. the student representative is is not here at the moment and so we wanted to ask about the jamfest but perhaps Dr. Dizzler can tell us how it went.
>> Yeah, it was another great night. Uh lots of students um a a good majority of the middle school was there. Um there were the games. Um I think Irene shared this morning at our PTO meeting. There were Do you want to know how what the number of the different types of games?
You said that this morning. Do you know offh hand? >> Pingpong. >> Yeah. All three of those um were the large games that we hold out in the um container. And then there was also the video games. Um kids were everywhere uh in in the best way possible. And um the
PTO did an awesome job of the decorations and the refreshments that were served. I think the um cotton candy is always a hit and there's popcorn and um uh the night the night was great. I think it's something that kids look forward to. So I I love that that it
continues. So thank you. >> Thank you for sharing. Was there a specific theme? Yes, it was uh the 80s theme. So, the kids voted on it and um yeah, it was lots of fun. >> Very cool. Thank you. Okay, so the um we
don't know about the PSA contest. Does anybody know about that? >> Okay. Police department report. >> Yes. Good afternoon. Uh, I'm going I'm going to switch things up a little bit as far as uh uh the police department
and the report. Um, I just think looking at municipal alliance from a um different lens and I have to look at it from a law enforcement lens. Uh, I think we've gotten away from or at least the meetings that I've attended from really um what municipal alliance from a law
enforcement perspective looks like. Um, I'm going to focus on coordinating my strategies um, specifically when it comes to reducing alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, especially among the young. Um, because I think honestly that's why
um, for my part that we're here for. Um, and also obviously the strength community re uh, resilience. I I have a bunch of bullet points and I'll be able to talk to them um every month and if in my absence so it's structured my
lieutenant then that represents the police department in my absence can also talk to that. So I'm just going to go over real brief um five of them and you'll understand why I said real brief. So, youth substance abuse, um, overdose response, underage drinking
enforcement, school safety, um, every one of those that I just mentioned, there's no report. None whatsoever. Um, and I'm happy about that, right? Um, there are things that I think we're doing right as a community, um, law enforcement, school, uh, and
citizens alike. um community outreach. Uh unfortunately, um our victory is uh against the Cranberry Elementary School basketball game. We'll have to wait until next year. Um Dr. Dler doesn't know that I'm concocting some stuff in my head to maybe have one prior to that.
Um but however, that being said, uh that that event was uh postponed because of a wonderful blizzard, second one this year that we had. So, um mental health calls, um whether it's youth, uh or um any
other citizen, uh again, I'm focusing on the youth here. Um however, uh I have my due diligence uh to uh procure that as well for the entire township. We have an ary program. I don't know if you're familiar with the array program where we're partnered up with the meth health
professional. We do that once a week. I apologize. Once a month uh for eight hours, they come into the police department. they are attached to a crisis intervention trained officer for the eight hours and they respond to those type of calls. Um as of late
there's been an uptick in that uh not juvenile uh wise so I'm happy about that. Um however um I am now switching from once a month to once a week. So um I think that's beneficial um for our adolescent as well as um the rest of the
population. So, I'm happy to report that. Um, traffic safety, we continue to target uh speeding and distracted driving um uh violations, especially in school zones when schools open. Um when schools closed, then we do um you know,
crosswalk violations and we try to center around obviously Cranberry Elementary School, Presbyterian School, uh and so forth. Uh the one on the highway is a little hard. There is a monastery there, so that's a little harder for us to tackle. Um, and then,
uh, other than that, um, I just want to make an announcement for the prescription drug disposal. Uh, so for parents that have, uh, unwanted drugs that children can maybe get a hold of, uh, seniors don't know what to do with it. Um, you know, if you can't get a ride to the police department, you can
call and as long as it's in Cranberry Township, we'll come pick it up. But to that end, that will happen in April and in October. Uh, we continue that. We have a drug box right in the police headquarters. All they have to do is open a door, make sure you don't put syringe or liquids in there, and drop away. We don't ask any questions. We
don't even watch it. So, and that's my report. >> Thank you for your report. I appreciate all that the work that the police officers do, not only for the youth, but for the community, all aspects of the population of Cranberry. And I'm really happy to hear that the Arrive program
will now be once a week to support uh the mental health of our community. Um you had noted that um and correct me if I am misspeaking but that um the municipal alliance primary focus is
youth. >> Well from from my lens from a law enforcement lens um again I'm not speaking for you. I'm not speaking for this committee. I'm just telling you where I'm coming from. I mean, I I I felt like last month's meeting, we really barely touched on the youth in my
opinion, and we focused everything on the seniors um and strategizing and I I believe there is a senior community um organization here. Correct me if I'm wrong. I I don't I don't know for sure, but u there's a lot of uh little, you know, niches for lack of a better term.
And I I just think that uh K through eight, we have two, three schools, and I think we do a phenomenal job. I just for me for coming here and being part of this organization it's going to be focused on children. >> Um and I think that if I had a problem with seniors or something then I would
know where to go with the township to get that outreach or to get that that communication. Uh much like the overdose um thought of uh seniors overdosing and all that kind of stuff. I just I didn't think that personally fit here and even though we don't have a problem but you
know remember what I was talking about when uh >> right you didn't agree with that statistic right that that statistic that send everybody it wasn't just you it send a lot of people concerned and you know whatever but um I just think that from again as a department head running
a police department my focus is going to be on the children >> and through high school I mean I know Princeton has their own and I get that too not just K through eight but our children that are 18 and under is going to be my focus when it comes to municipal lines. That's not to say you need something from me like I'm going to
nope, I'm not dealing with that. That doesn't have to do with kids. I'm here. I just think we personally we got away from that focus. That's my opinion. I I kind of would agree and it made me think about just going back to um the
township web page and I went back to the municipal alliance committee and the what's described on our web page really is the focus is around um programming in the school and the community to bring awareness and as um such as parent
information sessions, school assemblies, high school orientation picnic and the drug-free fair. So I I kind of agree like I have a soft spot for our seniors. So it's not that at all. But I think you know we're on this committee because of the perspective we bring and if it was
going to shift and be a different part of our community focus then I think the the people who are on this board would should change then because it's so if it's not going to be that then maybe it'd be those that might have a different perspective that could then help uh that part of the community. And
so just thank you for bringing that up, Chief. >> I couldn't agree more that an important focus of the Cranberry Municipal Alliance is youth. And we focused most of our attention on youth committee
since I've been part of this committee for um well over 30 years. And it does say >> ever since I started um at Cranberry School, I was on the committee and within the last I don't know five or so
years I've been the chair. So our focus has mainly been students but you know it it does say on our mission on the municipal alliance page that we do focus on the committee. However, the examples
that are on that page are examples related to students. So my um understanding of the municipal alliance ever since I've been part of it is that it's not only about the children
although the children are a very important part of the municipal alliance and we focus most of our attention on children but there are other populations on the community that benefit from substance abuse education and attention
and I don't think that we should stray away from other populations and just focus just on the children starting this year. Any other thoughts? >> Um, yeah. Yeah, I mean I've been only
part of the Cranberry Municipal Alliance maybe four years and I would say like 90% of our focus has always been on 18 and under or college age. Um uh but as the population ages and as the senior
population grows in Cranberry, I think um you know putting you know even 10% focus on the seniors is not a bad thing. And even our age group, you know, my age, hey, if you want to give me
something, I'll take it. Right. So, um yeah, we we um lift the youth to to their potential and tell them about the harm that's really out there because it's so dangerous compared to 10 years
ago, 15 years ago. And yet at the same time, you know, I've seen so many seniors being vulnerable to scammers, online romantic scams, just like a teen young teenager, and it just boggles my mind.
That's why we have to inform the seniors who are plagued with as much loneliness as the young teenagers are if they're falling for these romance scams. Well, when it comes to scamming, um I know that's an issue and you know, I'm sure that there are different departments
that deal with that maybe in the police department, but as far as any senior programs that we might want to do in the future, I think it should be directly tied to drug and alcohol prevention. And I know that mental health ties in very
closely with um mental health and substance abuse tie very closely together. Two years ago, we had a uh presenter from Wellspring, and they promote healthy living through
education, training, and advocacy. And one of the initiatives that they talked about was the WISE program. It's a wellness initiative for senior education. and they it's a six session program and they do focus on the impact
of alcohol and sub substance use on the aging body and the safe and effective use of medication as well some other topics. So they have a topic and actually I was going to bring that up today and discuss it to see if that's something that we want to pursue and
that is really up to the committee to decide the consensus of the committee if you know that's something that we want to focus our attention on. >> Is there a cost to that? Like what? >> No, there's no cost in that through a grant.
>> Who are who are the instructors? >> The instructors are through Wellspring. >> Okay. It's it's a um they're trained instructors and they they run the program and actually
there was um a healthy aging summit and one of the suggestions that they did have for townships was to consider this program for the senior population. And I'm not saying that um Cranberry is not
already doing an amazing job of addressing the needs of the seniors because I know we have now a senior director um in the main office of the township hall. We have a senior subcommittee. There are a lot of services for seniors and I do appreciate
that. And last week I did list a number of programs that are available to the seniors through the churches. Um, >> isn't there a senior club as well? Like they >> Yeah, there's a senior center downstairs, but do they meet now in the library? I've heard
>> they meet at the library now until the senior center is finished being renovated. So, I don't think that that should preclude us um and have us not think about any programs for the seniors if anything comes up that might be
related to our mission and might be helpful for the seniors. So, um that's really not in our agenda now, but I will I will bring it up and explain a little bit more in in detail when we come up to that. Okay. Any
questions for for the chief? >> I just have one question. Uh for like high school students when they're going to like Princeton High and such, are we getting any stats from like Princeton police or anything like that or any type of, you know, because I I assume most of the, you know, there are probably a lot
of kids going to Princeton and such. And I'm just curious if there's any, you know, like discussion there or No. >> No. Unfortunately, the only time we get notified from um Princeton or any other high school that they go to uh is when there's a problem, when they're in
trouble. So, I mean, but they have their own version of their municipal alliance. They have their own version of school resource officers. You know, if um if the time ever comes where we can make that closed loop connection that we're
attempting to navigate, uh then perhaps that could change in the near future. But as of right now, no. Um, you know, there's forms that are called handle with care. Um, Dr. Dizzle is very familiar with it. When there's an issue or some kind of notification has to go out, that's when we address it. And
unfortunately, to answer your question, it's only when there's a problem. Never when there's anything good. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments for the chief? Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. the liaison report. >> Um just two quick points. One that I was ready to talk about um the budget yesterday passed um for the township. So no questions about the municipal alliance budget. Everything is good there. Um and I'm hearing some good
discussion about I think the the charter of municipal alliance. Um, I think I'm more than happy. I think maybe Joanne, you, me, maybe Sasha sit down and talk about a path forward and and what it looks like just some internal discussion
here. And I'd love to give sort of my opinion. It's not necessarily my place at this meeting uh as as I don't have a seat on the deis. Um, but I think we should probably talk about it and and figure out sort of where we go moving forward. Um, happy to have that conversation
really whenever. Um, but over the next couple weeks it's fine. >> Okay, cool. >> Sounds good. >> Any questions for the township for me? >> Crickets. All right, awesome. Thanks, guys. >> Thank you. Okay, we we have one budget
item. Last month we were talking about the cotton candy machine and um we have gotten information since last month from Lauren. Um we cannot order from like Walmart and
Amazon for a big purchase. Uh we have to uh it's too big a purchase to then get reimbursed. So, we have to go with a company that is already approved by the township and that would be uh what's the name of the
>> we found a good option on WBM Mason. We already have a township account with them. Um so, that could be an option if you guys were interested in still purchasing a cotton candy machine. >> Okay. So, the cost for that WBM Mason is
$476.19. need a cover for $119 and the uh the delivery is approximately $15. We don't have to pay for tax. So the total would be approximately
$640.38. So um it is more than we anticipated in our discussion from last month. But um this is something that the Jamfest would really like to have in the future. So I just want to open that up
to discussion if anybody would like to discuss getting discuss further getting a cotton candy machine and cover for the Jamfest. Um, when you buy from WBM Mason and there's an issue with the machine, do
they do you know if they just are very good about you know exchanging it if there's any issue? >> I'm sure I'm sure it would be >> all right. Okay. >> The school purchases from WB Mason and doesn't have issues with it. It's a major um place that we use. I guess um
my question for just the kind of I don't know what the word is but for this group where would it be is it a is it a donation to the PTO is it the municipal alliances would it be housed with the municipal alliance um would we be able to use it for other things you
know so like I mentioned your national night out could that be used there are there other times that you might want to use it or is it something that we're thinking that it it it's for the like a gift to the PTO Well, this would be used for anything really that the municipal alliance is
involved with. And of course, we would share it with the school just as, you know, the school uses the pop popcorn machine. Um, it would be, you know, for the students. So, I don't know if you would say that it's a gift to the PTO, but I was hoping that it would be housed
at the school. Is that possible? >> Um, there's a I don't know. Would it fit in your closet? >> We we could house it if you need it. Yeah. And and we um I'm speaking from the municipal alliance side. Um I think
it should be available for student anything student related. Um whatever that may be. Um and if I don't know if the community if we have a community event, maybe we could bring it there too. if we do things for students outside maybe at the library or wherever
at the parks um but just have have it available for everything and anything uh that we do. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So that sounds good. It could be housed in the PTO cabinet. Okay. Any other discussion about the popcorn machine? I mean the we already have a
popcorn machine. The cotton candy machine. Okay. So, um, would anyone like to make a motion to approve the cost of, let's bump it up just in case the shipping's more to $650
for uh, the cotton candy machine? >> I approve the expense. >> Okay. Would anybody like to second the motion? Okay, Irene. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. Everyone's saying I. So, everyone approves. Is there anybody
saying nay? Is there anybody that's not going either way? Okay. So, it's approved by everyone. So, would you be able to order that? >> Yeah. >> Excellent. Okay. >> Yeah. >> It usually comes pretty
>> bigger as long as they have it. >> So, um yeah, that's great. Unfortunately, we won't be able to use it for the Jamfest this year since we already had both, but hopefully you did get a cotton candy machine that you were able to use for this past one. Okay,
good. So, we can use it uh perhaps for National Night Out um if that's going to take place this year or um if the school has any events coming up. Well, you probably can't use it for the sugar content um during the day. No. Okay.
Okay. Great. All right. Okay. That's all as far as budget. And I was happy to hear that our budget passed for the year. Okay. Old business, the um the bookmark contest. Um well, Andrew is
not here, so um she can't report on that. The mental health first aid program for middle school. So I'm still waiting to hear back. I had a discussion with Christine Bolton. just waiting to hear back dates so that we could make sure our instructors are
available. >> Okay. Could you give us like a little brief summary of what the program would entail? Sure. And how long it is? >> Yes. So, we talked about um the length of it because um some of you are new. So the the mental health first aid official
program through the national council for mental health is for um high school students 10th to 12th grade which we provided for um Princeton High School for the last couple of years. This year they decided not to offer it due to
logistics the time it's six classes so it was hard for to schedule and other reasons. So we would like to provide it and actually we've had many comments from the students in the past that they would have liked to learn these things when they were younger like in in middle
school. So uh we talked about um two or three sessions um for um I guess the longer period that they have at Cranberry School and we could provide that. So it would involve just learning about the various mental
health issues, challenges that come up. It's okay to not be okay, but to seek help, to also notice it in yourself and others, and and to learn about substance abuse as well, suicide, those kinds of things in a concise format instead of
the six sessions. That's great. I think it'll be so valuable, especially since the input that you got from the high school students. Yeah. for teen mental health first aid indicated that they wish they had gotten it in middle school. >> Right. And um they they were saying
April or in the spring. So I'm hoping that I hear back soon. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I think that um after this Friday um Christina is uh doing a career fair for our school. I I bet you'll hear from her early next week. That's probably
why. And I would have um one suggestion or or a thought um just kind of keeping the parents connected. So as this as we have it scheduled like once it gets scheduled and it's going to happen even um crafting something that can go home so that parents are just aware and know
then they can kind of support it or if there's any resource to send home to parents so that they could even then follow up on the conversation it might just help that whole um aspect of the homeschool piece to it might be >> yes there is a letter in the other format so you would send something
similar just so they're aware they could also decline the their student allowing, you know, they can not allow that their student to be in it, which, you know, you have to respect. Yeah. >> Because, you know, some people aren't really comfortable talking about those
kinds of things at at that age, but it's definitely needed for sure. >> So, thanks. >> Okay. Thanks, Ria. >> Okay. uh the Cranberry School American Heart Association program. I know that it took place in February and
I think that you had it you had to cancel your basketball game because of the weather. >> Yeah, but the whole program is still running in the sense of the the the fundraiser and making awareness. Um Buddy Classes launched it with the project with the hearts that was um done
through the municipal alliance. Um they wrap it up at the end of this month um on the last day before spring break um with just a celebration in the gym. Um but I don't have any total on the number collected as of yet. Maybe that's something next month when I see you all
know how much um Cranberry School raised. I know it won't be as significant as um last year with the basketball game was the big draw. Um but I know that um families are contributing. So it's in process right now. that's happening. >> Will you have a makeup basketball game
this year? >> Um, we decided that we've cancelled it this year and um with knowing that we'll we'll bring it back next year. Just really hard. Um, spring sports are are already starting and um the the play
being last week scheduling trying to find a night. We have wax museum this th there was just not a place within this time frame to be able to reschedule. So, it's it's cancelled for this year and will be um rescheduled will be scheduled
next year. We did share with all our families the link so that again if um they were going to come out that night and want to contribute that they can um to the American Heart Association. >> Okay. Thank you. Any questions or comments about that?
Okay. So, speaker for community, parents, students. Last month we talked about two speakers, Robert Hackinson, who did a program about vaping two years ago for the students during respect week. And we talked about another
speaker and his name is Timothy Shoemaker. Just I was able to get some additional information about Timothy Shoemaker to share with the committee. He does a
program called Save Your Breath Vaping Prevention Program and he has a lot of special effects during his program and um Thomas was able to find him. Um I had checked with the references, two I
reported on last month and the third one um a principal of a school and they all felt very strongly that he was received very well by the students in the middle school 6 through 8 and in the high school. His cost is $1,700 for any one
presentation. And um it's $2500 for multiple student presentations and then adding a parent program would be $500. Last month we talked about that there's a lot of programming already for the students at
Cranberry School in the spring. So it would not be a good fit for Cranberry School. Um, so I spoke to the library and um I spoke to the representative at the library and um also I've been in contact with Timothy Shoemaker and he
can do a community presentation a community presentation and uh that we could decide on the focus. It could be for uh parents and students. It could be for anyone in the community who would like to learn about the dangers of
vaping, maybe for themselves or for a family or friend who they can share information with. And um we could do it at the library. And the nice thing, and I have a couple dates that are available
at the library. The nice thing is that Timothy Shoemaker, he would actually do all of he he would do the flyer for us and he would do the registration.
And we had talked about whether we wanted to do something in person and virtual. Well, he said that he could not do a program that's virtual and in person because um he would just want to
do one or the other. He wouldn't want to do both because it kind of violates his he wouldn't want anyone to get um copies of his material or anything like that. So, he would only he would only do one or the other. So, in speaking to the
library, uh, so anyway, his email was he could do either or. Um, he said they're no longer seeing higher attendance for remote sessions and the options divide the audience. So he would suggest the whole either it being remote and then he
would broadcast from a studio or he would um his his suggestion is he he does move to do an in-person program and go all in on getting the parents out or the community out. So that's his suggestion. The two dates where they
don't have things going on in the evening at the library are April 23rd and May 7th. So I wanted to open up this to the committee for discussion. Do we want to
have Timothy Shoemaker do a presentation in the library? We can also discuss if we want to have it at the performing arts center at the school. I don't know if it would be available or not. and and what do we want our focus to be? Do we
want it to be more of a general community program or do we want the focus to be more of parent u middle school high school focus? So, I'll just open that up to the committee thoughts.
>> What are the two dates? >> The two dates are April 23rd and May 7th. May concert take your job evening but it is a day where a lot of
kids aren't in school because they're busy um work >> if that would affect you know their attendance at an evening program if they maybe want to do something special with their prints
in the evening after after work. So it sounds like May 7th is do we want to consider April 23rd and uh what are your thoughts about our focus?
Um you said that there were two but you're just talking about the one. So, is this the one that you want to have us do? So, is the other one not on the table for this? >> No, he's not on the table. Well, I guess he could be on the table for this as
well. But, um, >> is that when you're thinking maybe for the fall for school? Because I know we talked about having a speaker at school in the fall, just not doing it this spring. So, is it do this or that in the fall or are we talking about both?
>> We're talking about both. >> Okay. We already have the speaker Sam Hendrickson that we talked about for the fall. So, he's all set. So, this is a presentation um on a different topic >> uh on vaping, which you know, this was
brought up um multiple times on this committee about the importance of education related to vaping. >> I I would just like to add I think vaping is a really important topic. Um I'm hearing quite a bit that this is
happening a lot in the high schools um you know within school restrooms and so forth. So um I think it's really important that we we we put on some type sponsor some type of a program. Um I'm not sure about the date. I I do agree
with Dr. Dizzler that a lot of children may be out of absent and maybe um you know whether they go to New York City. I know I used to bring my children to >> take your take your child to work day. So that may
>> um not be an optimal date, but are there any other dates at the library? Do they have flexibility? >> Um yeah, they suggested I look at the calendar. It looks like um there is not an evening program
on May 7th, May 8th. May 8th is the studio band night dance with Princeton High School. This is going to be what's going to happen. Like the the springtime is hard. There's a lot,
>> right? >> So, keep the Let's see if we can get one that doesn't have any school events. >> Okay. So, what about the seventh? >> That's that's the concert. >> Oh, the seventh is the concert. >> The eth is the concert as well. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, what about the 11th?
Monday. >> Yeah, Mondays probably wouldn't be good. What do you think about Monday? Is there anything happening on Monday the 11th? So, that's a possibility. Um the 15th >> Yeah, that's a
>> another band performance and jazz festival. >> Okay. So then additional days in May the 17th. Wait, that's a Sunday. The 18th.
The 19th. >> The 18th is a parent orientation for rising sixth graders. Okay. The 19th and the 20th and we don't want to get into Memorial Day weekend. So the
19th and the 20th >> no evening event for Cranberry School on the 19th and the 20th is a board meeting. Uh so it's a the evening it's a school board meeting that night. So I mean that doesn't necessarily involve parents and
kids. >> Okay. So that's just at the library. Um what about having the program at the school in the new performing arts center? >> I think it's a possibility. We've been um you know just kind of we're we're
slowly opening. Um there's some things that have to be done to the space that um now that we've opened um things that weren't properly done that have to be. So, um it it could be um potential, but
um you see our busy schedule. So, like for us then hosting another event and being responsible, it might be a little tricky to find who would be um in in charge of that. So, >> also an issue. >> What's Yeah,
>> also an issue. not done yet. >> Yeah, >> I know. >> We had to get a um I don't know if you noticed it in the parking lot, but we had to get a flood light and uh the chief bent over backwards and got phoned
in some favors to have that for us. But one of the issues is that there there wasn't lighting put in. It wasn't part of the original scope. So, that's got to happen. So, from a safety perspective, um we we don't have that yet. And that's going to happen, you know, sooner versus
later. The should be done during spring break. Um but age is actually getting redone as um some of um we are still trying to uh remedy. Uh we were able to without much hiccup uh open on Friday
night um because of the play performance and that um but there's still work to do. So I'm I'm very leerary about um us kind of opening it to the community yet. Our goal is to open it to the community starting July 1. So yeah, that that's all. I'm just I'm just tentative because
of of those pieces. >> Okay. Well, that makes sense to me. So, um let's look at the library then. Um it looks like we have May 19th and 20th. Do we want to um do we want to do a
vaping program first of all? That's the first question. Um, >> oh, and Sasha, I know you had some information that you'd like to share. >> What was interesting is this past week I read a Wall Street Journal article and the highlight says high schools are
losing the struggle to block pot even during class. And as I was reading the article, California was one of the first states to legalize it for recreation, right? and they're just talking about how difficult it is to um keep them hot out in the schools now in the bathrooms
in the corners and now they have the gummies and um this high school in California is a showcase on some of the techniques that they're using to lower the the um usage amongst the students. But even like other principles in
Vermont where they legalized it in 2022, they're also having such an issue keeping the pot out of the schools. And then the article in Wall Street Journal also highlights the fact that now research is coming out so much about what marijuana is doing, cannabis is
doing to a developing brain, attention deficiency, uh memory and and impulse control and uh depression, suicide, psychosis, and the thing that you I heard about the bathrooms in high school. I mean, you
know, as a um mom with college students, you know, they always tell me in college, they smoke pot. They smell pot all the time, Monday to Sunday, all the time in the dorms, you know, through events. And there's nothing really they could do about it. And um you know, I
hear just so many moms sharing about their kids having psychotic episodes. And fortunately they are in a very loving family and they could come out of school for a semester and go back after
treatment. But I think my heart goes out for those students who don't have a loving family. Yeah. So I think the earlier we could educate the parents the um you know and to make them realize
this is really happening. You got to like inform your kids before high school before middle school. Then their chances of trying cannabis gummy norms whatever will decrease significantly from all the studies that you've referenced you know throughout the four years I've been
here. So talking about it with the kids is very important. And I just don't really know how to tell the younger parents like this is this is part of your job. You got to do this before 12, 13. And um everybody's just so busy with their sports and they think it's not
going to happen to their kids. But then when it does happen, you know, it's going to really just make a mess out of their lives for a while. >> But we could prevent it if we through education. Education is key. and I just
don't really know how to wake up the younger parents about this. >> Well, thank you for sharing that. And I know that another huge concern is the potency of what's available today. Yes. >> Compared to what um used to be in
>> Right. I have just two copies. Can I give anybody this two copies? >> I I just have a question on the remote option. I I know it seems like we is there a limit of the number of like loginins that we can have for that
price or because you know ju just to your point is if we do it in person it might limit young you know like I have young kids I probably couldn't go unless I had care. I'm just kind of curious if a remote option helps with the, you know, fi, you know, the
very busy spring schedule, you know, and like again, if we have family members that maybe are within our range, like, hey, we could all, you know, like I I probably wouldn't have my kids watch it, but I would want to watch it because I'd want to know things to look out for. So, I don't know. I mean, may maybe a remote
option is an idea to try with this guy, and we, you know, it seems like we don't know him. We've heard good things about them, but it might open, you know, the pool that we could get. And and I don't think again, if there's no limit, I mean, we could maybe ping other towns, their municipal lines, be like, "Hey,
just FYI, Cranberry Municipal Alliance is sponsoring this." If you think it's useful, you know, like we should want to get as many people around us or in our town on this thing, right? So, I don't know. It's just a thought. virtual versus in person. Any other
thoughts about that? I mean, we have tried to have parent programs in the past and we really haven't had a lot of attendance either way, whether it's been virtual or in person. And I know Dr. Dizzler shared
when you have um when you had your programs for the parents um you didn't have that much of a um an outcome unless you had something that was an activity between the parents and the students. >> The the family piece um was something
that would get um them out. So it makes me wonder if there were child care. So like what if the library in conjunction with this was there and they did some kind of activity with the kids so that the parents are going kids go to one
place parents go to the other could that be something that maybe so if it's in person but I I agree with you. I think something like this, you're going to maybe tune in virtually um and listen and and you might have the chance because I think there might be interest,
but it might be just hard to get there if if child care is the piece. >> And and even even just on that, the timing of it, again, I I I feel like the kids are maybe 13, 14, you might want to wa have them watch it. But if they're younger than that, it's it's really for the parents. So maybe that's just more
flexibility of like, you know, after school, hey, there's a, you know, presentation at nine o'clock. I mean, that's late. You know, I would be up. I don't know, you know, anyone else might be up, but maybe that gives more flexibility of like we get our target audience and we again branch it out to
more people that could attend and it's a little bit more flexible. It's unique. It might not work, but you know, 7 o'clock that's bedtime. It's like hard to join during that time. So, you know, it might be something think about or we socialize and we try to just think creatively about it because again, it is
an issue that is not necessarily a gateway but kind of like a gateway to other more serious issues. So, >> yeah, I don't >> Okay. So, I'm hearing, you know, two comments in favor of virtual.
>> Any other any other thoughts? >> Price the same. >> H >> is the cost the same? I believe so, but um I'm not absolutely positive. >> For the virtual, will you get a will you get a recording >> so that we could share with the
community who's not able to attend in real time? >> I don't know, but um I do doubt it. >> No, because he did say, you know, he wants to maintain his copyright protection of his material. So, I would
say no. It's a shame. >> He doesn't want He really doesn't want to do anything that would infringe his copyright material. >> Yeah. >> So, he's just one or the other. >> I guess you want to bring your
maybe some refreshments. >> I think if you want to reach the maximum number of parents, I think virtual is the best. And um so the key job that we have to do is advertising and marketing and why you
as a young parent should be watching this, you know, >> and we have to give them statistics. We got to give them research facts, you know, because a lot of parents, in my opinion, are in denial that they got children are vulnerable to saying yes to cannabis and gummy worms. But if you saw
how cute they are, these gummy bears, it is very easy to take one. Okay. So, what about um Wednesday, May 20th?
No, not Wednesday. Um what is happening? Let's look at a third. Is there something happening at the school on May 21st? >> The only thing that's happening that night, it's the sixth grade environmental trip. So, kids will be away. So, parents will be home probably
partying it up. So, I think that might be a good one. >> Yeah. But then if they wanted to watch it with their sixth graders, they would be able to. >> Sixth graders will not be available that day. They want to watch it with sixth grade. No. >> Okay. What about
um >> Tuesday? May 19th. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, do we want to go ahead and try this? Do a virtual program on vaping on the 19th of May.
Let's say 700 p.m. That's pretty much the time that evening programs start. So, uh, do we want our focus to be just open general um to the community?
Open it. Well, really open it. We could advertise it through the school and we could advertise it through the community. >> Advertise it to everyone. Advertise to the grandparents, the teachers, everyone. >> Okay? this is happening. >> All right. So, May 19th, I can get in
touch with him. But, um, let's see. Our meeting in April is I don't know if we want to start when is our meeting in April. >> Should be April 14th. >> April 14th. Uh, when do we want to start advertising?
>> Say as soon as possible. >> As soon as possible. Okay. >> Okay. Does the committee want to like approve approve of a flyer that goes out
>> because we'd have to do that in April. >> I mean, did you >> We should definitely do a flyer and we could use the the stats from the Wall Street Journal and tell them these are the stats for, you know, 18 to 12 year olds.
Yeah. So, um, as far as starting to advertise, I know that it it would be important to advertise as soon as possible, but do we want to discuss it as a committee um at
our next meeting exactly what it is we want to put out there to the public or do we maybe um have a subcommittee work on that and then start advertising? I I think it would be fine to advertise after that meeting. I think in the
meantime if once we get confirmed maybe we could potentially just send out blast out a save the date um with a just you know the title or a sentence or something but then have the flyer to follow or more information to follow.
Okay. So I was looking at the dates that the library is available. The speaker also gave me dates that he is available. So I just want to double check. So the date that we were talking about is the 13th, the 19th.
So let me say make sure that that was one of the dates that he was available. Sorry, I have to circle back. Do we have a contact that we talk to regularly? So, so the
reason I asked that is because once again, if we're going to use Wall Street Journal statistics, they're going to give you the worst of the absolute worst, >> right? I know we we we >> we can't be biased. We can't use any information that's biased.
>> I agree. >> I apologize. So my point is like we could reach out to Princeton. You could reach out to the surrounding towns whoever municipal alliances from Monroe, Plainsboro, Brunswick, East Windsor. Um there are surrounding towns and that's our immediate community. And hey, are
you guys having a problem with this? I can tell you from a law enforcement standpoint, we're not having a problem in Cranberry. And I'm not saying not do it because I I believe once they get to that next level, we don't have a high school here. It's very hard for us to judge that. Do I think it's important? Abs 100% absolutely it's important. I
think it's a great idea. But I think we should be focused on what we're doing here. Right. Right. And or what when they leave here, that's my biggest gripe as police chief is once they leave eighth grade and they're out of that school, we lose touch with them. They're gone. Then they go on to high school and
make the choices they make and and then college. And we get involved when there's a problem, when there's someone overdosing or almost dying at a party, a 16-year-old or so forth and so on. So my suggestion would be try to reach out to your counterparts, say, "Hey, make a
list. Five, six townships right around us. Um, you know what's going on in Cranberry. All you got to do is pick up the phone and say, "Hey, Chief, we're having a problem with this. Um, you know what's going on here? Are you guys having that in the high schools?" South Brunswick has three high schools, right? One. Well, they got a whole bunch of
middle schools. They got they got a lot of a lot of school. But, um, so, um, Monroe has got a a bunch of schools. So, then say, is this affecting us? And not to not do it because I still think it's important, but I would be reluctant to use almost like that survey you caught
for the seniors overdosing. It's not applicable here. It doesn't not that it doesn't if you say one, then it was worth it, right? I believe that. But if we're not showing any type of problem with regards to what we're trying to achieve, then at least
let's pull some stats because maybe some surrounding towns are. And I love your idea about offering it to them. And I'd love to know if there's an answer because I've been in plenty um for the state. Uh once 500 chiefs sign on and if you're not one of the 500, you can't get on that that they won't let you in
anymore. So there may be a limit to how far we can spread the word and say, "Hey, you know, even if you're Plainsboro, sign on to our municipal alliance." And you could do that as a as a chair um to to your counterpart chairs. That's that's just my opinion. I think I think those numbers are skewed
to the worst that the if that makes sense to you, to the worst that there is. I don't believe that the Wall Street Journal numbers are applicable to Cranberry Township. >> Well, well, I'm sorry. that Wall Street Journal article on the town that they specify. I when I was reading the demographics, it reminded me very much
of like a Princeton type of town. I mean, the high school is maybe 2,600. I know Princeton is smaller than 100 >> and um it's, you know, pretty pretty, you know, probably educated group as well. So I think just as general as a
parent um who have a lot of reach into the college age group and just the amount of like cannabis happening in colleges just definitely alarms me and some people have and I always wonder
like thank goodness the parents are great and and the son is getting the help but I always do wonder what happens if they have a lousy parent. what happens to the kid, you know, and that and when you see so many like sometimes homelessness um in in California with
the young people there, it makes me wonder like if they had a psychotic episode and they didn't have a great parents or grandparents who helped them come out of it, they're really screwed. But as a child, if they were warned before they went to high school, I think
most people are self-preserving and if they learned early on, like let's say 11, you know, when they're 11, 12 years old, they would say, "Okay, I'm just going to stay out of this because I don't want my life to turn out that way." And I still remember like the show that I saw, Little House in the the um
war hero came back to town, but he had like some issue and at that time they gave you Morphe. So he was like really psychotic and at the end of the day like he died and I was like oh more I can't do drugs he's gonna die you know in the woods but I remember like as a little
kid like that show impacted me. So I think when you're a child shows like that messages like that impact you. So when there's an opportunity to try drugs in high school you're like you still remember that you're like uh no thank you. So I think that's more the more the
thing that I would like to enforce and our men in our test are in such a nice bubble here and I would love to just give them a lot of FYI before they leave because they're so smart that when they have their information they know they'll
they won't even go near it. >> Well, we know that vaping is happening. We know that it's happening a lot. Um, regardless of the article that Sasha shared,
it's happening and we hear about it all the time and it does involve cannabis and I'm very happy to hear that you don't see cases like that in Cranberry. We don't have a high school here. So,
you're not going to see it on the high school campus because there is no high school campus, right? >> But, you know, to um the point that Sasha made is we do want to give the students as much information as we can before they get to high school so they
can make the right decisions. So, we know what's happening. We know we want to provide information. We have talked about this topic numerous times and the importance of it. Um, it comes down to, you know, do we want to do we want to do
this program in the community? >> I mean, I I think it's it's a net ad. It's a net positive. If if we offer this, I think we're going to get, you know, more than one person to join. I definitely would join. So, it would be beneficial to me. To the flyer, I mean,
didn't didn't you mention he offers one? Like, is that something we might be able to review? And then >> he does have a flyer, but unfortunately he's not available on that date that we discussed. >> Okay. >> He's not available on the 19th. >> He's available in May. Um, and if Dr.
Dizzler could look again the 5th, >> the 7th, >> and the 12th, 13th, and 14th. evening on the 12th of May. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, the 12th is a Tuesday.
Okay. So, let me put it out to the committee. He's available. Um we discussed um the consensus. It seemed to me that virtual would be better. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, do we want to do this program
um on the 12th? >> How many? >> Okay. >> How many people can sign on? Is there a limit? Um, what if we have 3,000 people that sign? I'm just throwing the number out there. I'm just, you know, what what if we, you know, well, he doesn't need
to he doesn't need to know that we're going to maybe reach out to other communities and especially the surrounding ones and say, "Hey, we're offering this. You guys are interested. It's free. It doesn't cost you nothing. Put it out." >> Wouldn't it be wonderful if we did have 3,000 people? >> It would be great. Um, but you know, those kind of
questions if there's a limit on that and >> okay, >> you know, and what time he wants to start and if he gives us the flyer or not. >> Okay. So, um, is there So, Joanne, real quick, is how long what's the duration of the program? >> It's about an hour.
>> Oh, it's an hour. Okay. >> You know, I don't know what um how many if if there's a limit. I don't know. I mean, do we want to not do it if there's um a limit and what would the limit be? >> Uh well, I I mean, I think just depending on the limit and like the
population, I mean, we can kind of calculate if it's like 500 people, then we open it to our town and we see where we are two weeks beforehand. And then if we're not if we're not close, then we expand it. You know, I I think but if if there's no limit, then I think we just try to get as, you know, get it out
there as much as possible. And if he's handling registration, I mean, like I said, the flyer, I assume he'll do. We would might just want to ask like sponsored by the Cranberry Municipal Alliance, put it somewhere on there. I don't think that's controversial. And then like QR codes, links, you know, again, just to try to get as many people
to sign up as possible. Um, so yeah, you know, once we have that info, I assume by April we could discuss it and just make calls and get it out there. >> Okay. So I will find out um if there is a limit to virtual and then we will
discuss it at our next meeting and if we decide that we want to proceed then we'll start the advertising then. Okay. Okay. And the next item on our agenda is okay,
we talked about the speaker information for senior uh neighbors. We talked about this a little bit. Everyone has a flyer that I gave you. If you could take a look at that. Yeah. Can we look at it together? Okay. So this is this was
recommended by the healthy aging summit and this is put out by many different organizations and it's put out by wellspring center perfect for prevention which is a countywide organization and they did a presentation on the different
programs that they run for the community and school. So, um, this is just a way of celebrating healthy aging. And it's a six session wellness and prevention program for seniors 55 and
it's a 2-hour program. Each each session is two hours. It includes either breakfast or lunch depending on when it's being held. And the topics are how nutrition and exercise contribute to healthy aging, safe and effective
medication use, managing stress and recognizing depression, the impact of alcohol and substance use on the aging body, building resilience and social connection. And you need um it's a minimum of six and a maximum of 12
because it's it's a very personalized program and it's very didactic, very handson. It's not, you know, lecture style. You know, the seniors really get a chance to be involved and be a part of the program. It encourages conversation,
shared experiences, practical tools and um they learn skills and different things that they can do that they could apply in their daily life.
Okay. It is a um program that is evidence-based. That means there has been research done on this program and it has proven to be effective for seniors and it does um
follow along with our mission of sub substance abuse prevention in the community. So um do we want to try something like this in Cranberry for our seniors associated? This is completely funded
through a grant by the um Wellspring organization and it's facilitated by trained staff, mental health staff. >> I mean, yes, absolutely. If it's all funded, you could try it and and see
what the attendance is like. And even if it's like 10 10 people show up, they'll make connections there. and it's so important um to to offer that you know. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Any other thoughts? >> Yeah, I would agree. I I think this
would be beneficial for the seniors. >> Okay. And if it if it flies, that means there is um a desire for it in the community. I mean, it definitely can only be positive for the seniors attending. Now, I know that
>> senior is 55. I mean 53. >> That's what I'm saying. You guys are freaking me out. >> Well, it's good. I think >> I I'd be curious to know are we just mentioned a bunch of other groups within
our community that um are here for our seniors? Are are others doing it? And is this something just informational to pass to them if they want to do it? like why like do we have like should it come like so for me to give you input like it
looks nice but I don't have any background except for my own age being close to that but I don't know I don't have a connection to the community in that regard like I have a connection in the school regard for the kids so I I personally can't really give you info on
this but from us just talking we do know that there's a lot of committees and groups within Cranberry that do focus on senior years. So, would it be something that we either share um or at least do our due diligence to know if they're
already doing things like this is just so that we're not um duplicating anything that might already be being done? >> Okay. Well, to my knowledge from the organizations that I know of, uh the church, the community center, the golden
age neighbors, uh many of these organizations that do programs and activities for the seniors, they're uh centered around social social engagements um entertainment type programming. Um, I have not heard of any
organizations that do any programs that have to do with safe and effective medication use, the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on the aging body. Um, I don't know of any organiz I know that they did a program that RIA was
involved in on balance and at the library. I know that they do um a caregivers monthly support group, but um I don't know of any intensive programs
that focus on the wellness in these areas for seniors in our community. and to throw it out there to them and say, you know, if this is a program that you're interested in, go for it. It really has to be something that's set
up. And, you know, I know that the Golden Age Neighbors, I know that um what they what they do is they have social events where they have lunch together, they listen to speakers. Um
>> what about the senior center though? We now have somebody that's in charge of that. Is this something that could happen through the senior center? >> That's their focus. >> It's that's their focus and I'm sure that it's more than just social. They're probably looking for ways to educate
them, too. I know I I got to connect with her um in the sense of of ways to connect um the senior center with the school. So, I know that she's looking for I don't know if she does any of these things though. I'm not sure. >> Okay. So this would be separate from the
senior center. I mean um Donna who's in the the program director of the seniors, she can talk to the group. Um actually uh the person from Wellspring could do a presentation at the senior center and
gauge interest um that way. Would that be a good way to go? >> Wellspring Wellspring did a presentation for us two years ago. It's a Middle Sex County organization on um healthy living. Um they run lots of different
programs in the schools and in the community. >> Um you know, one of the highlights is the impact of alcohol and substance use on the aging body. And um another piece uh I I kind of support the CMA Crime
Municipal Alliance hosting this only because then it gives the public an image that we only because I think a lot of our um activities and events have focused so much on the youth and I think the message has been like CMA youth CMA youth but I think doing something like
this even once a year will be like oh primary municipal lines also care more than you know 18 and below. Well, so it's only a one-time event and it's free. So, I really think for our image, it's it's only a positive and and um
because I think so far has been so singular to 18 and below. I personally would support even just doing it once just to get the image out that we support the entire population of Cranberry, not just 18 and below for Cranberry.
>> Yeah, I would agree. It's like a public image thing >> and and um it would be six sessions and the mission of Wellspring, it's a nonprofit agency dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, professionals, and communities through quality
prevention and intervention services. Programs promote sound mental health, effective family functioning, and awareness of the devastating effects of substance abuse and dependency. and we did we had a presentation from them on
April of 24. So if anybody wants to go back and look at the presentation that we had from the the director um you know we could do that or anybody can do that. Um and then I'll I'll just share this with you Dr. Dizzler. This is a their
programs and a lot of them are youth focused. So, um, what do you think of the idea of having a representative speak to the seniors at the senior center and maybe some other organizations to see if it's
something that the seniors would be interested in instead of just putting the program out there and >> yeah, I think that gives an audience then it kind of gives like the mission of the municipal alliance and kind of directing it there and then them being able to kind of partner with it or, you
know, even give the feedback of of what their clientele what they need. >> Okay. So, I'll get in touch with the uh the director of the program and I'll ask if um and I'll also speak with Donna to see if we can find a day where they can give a short presentation about the
program to gauge interest to see if um seniors would be interested. >> You're still advocating for the program, >> right? >> Yeah, good point. Thank you. Okay. So, um National Night Out, is that
happening? >> Okay. So, we're planning and then it's the um we have to reserve the tent. >> Okay. >> Before it's not available anymore. >> Tuesday in August. >> So, that's August 4th. It is.
>> Okay. So, do you have the same officers that are going to be heading it? Okay. There's no >> right. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, we we'll definitely talk about it in more detail next month, but for
now, I can order the tent. >> Order the tent. >> Okay. Excellent. Okay. Additional programming for 2026. We're not going to be um anything anybody wanted to discuss about that. Okay. There are two learning series webinars taking place that are
available through the partnership for a drug-free New Jersey. Um I think valuable topics. Um one is and you can watch it um on live webinar or you can watch a recording of um one is addressing pain in all stages of life
and that's March 26th from 11 to 12 and the one in April is public health risks of counterfeit pills uh April 23rd from 11 to 12. Okay. Um any um any other discussion?
Okay. Um there is no public public here for public comment. Um does anybody want to make a motion to adjurnn? >> Okay. >> Second. >> Uh who did the first? >> Okay.
>> Okay. All right. All in favor? I Okay. Have a great day everybody.